Cerebral venous thrombosis

Cerebral vein and dural sinus thromboses (CVT) appear to be rare, but their identification has increased in recent year, due to the increased use of MRI and to a better knowledge of the variable clinical presentation of CVT. CVT can be diagnosed by MR and MR-angiography. Catheter angiography is reserved for cases whose diagnosis remains uncertain with MR. The individual risk for CVT is determined by genetic factors, but may be increased by numerous predisposing conditions and precipitating factors. In recent CVT series death rate is below 10 % and about 80 % of patients make a complete recovery. The treatment of CVT includes etiological and symptomatic treatment, antithrombotic therapy (anticoagulants, local thrombolysis) and the treatment of intracranial hypertension. There are few randomized trials upon which to base treatment recommendations.